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2019 Acura RDX infotainment first impressions | A first step into the touch pad world

One of the greatest design challenges in the modern automotive industry is an infotainment system that provides loads of capabilities, but is also easy-to-use and not overly distracting. Touch screens have been leading the way as the favored option, but Acura is trying a new design that relies on a touch pad with some unique tweaks to separate it from similar systems, such as those seen in competing Lexus models. And we got to try it out in the first production application, the 2019 Acura RDX compact crossover. The key feature of the touch pad is its one-to-one position functionality. What that means is that, if you have a grid of function buttons on the screen, tapping on, say, the upper left corner of the pad will highlight the button in the same area on the screen. And if you were to take your finger off the pad and tap in the opposite corner, that section of the screen would immediately be highlighted. You don't have to slide your finger across the pad to reach selections if you don't want to, and you don't have to slide back from the last function you highlighted. It basically does away with the need to move a cursor around like you would on a laptop with its mouse pad. In practice, it's a little odd to use at first because we mentally connect using a touch pad with the traditional cursor interface of the laptops we use day in and day out. As such, we forgot that we didn't have to scan the screen for the cursor every time we needed to select something. But once we remembered we could skip that, we found it quick and easy to drop our finger down and slide to our preferred function quickly. We could occasionally even pick something on the corners without having to slide at all. This is partly because Acura designed the interface to work with this pad. A representative from Acura's R&D center explained that they tried to put common functions on those corners because they're easy to reach without looking or thinking much. Another bonus to this system is that you don't immediately go to the function the second you press the pad. Instead, the feature is highlighted and still needs a physical click to enter. This is enormously helpful, since it virtually eliminates the chance of going to the wrong selection because you hit a bump or just got lazy with finger placement. Instead, you can get your finger in the right spot and then commit with a button press.

2021 Acura TLX to revive Type S, get turbocharged V6

The 2021 Acura TLX will revive the sporty Type S model after a 10-year moratorium, and this time around, it's getting a turbocharged V6, further setting it apart from other sedans in the Honda corporate family.  Acura says the new TLX will draw heavily upon the styling shown on two of its recent concepts: the Precision, which was shown in 2016, and the Type S, which was shown last year. The evolution of the styling is obvious even from Acura's darkened teaser image, which depicts a slightly more curvaceous take on 2019's Type S while retaining most of the same key design elements, including the quad-outlet exhaust and pronounced underbody diffuser. Acura's announcement was otherwise very light on details, saying only that the 2021 TLX will be "...the quickest, best-handling and most well-appointed sport sedan in Acura history, with the Type S being the model’s performance pinnacle." Apart from the displacement (3.0 liters), we don't yet know anything about the turbocharged V6 that will be utilized in the Type S. It will be unique to this model at launch, however Acura's announcement describes this as the "first" implementation of this engine, implying that it will likely make its way under the hood of other Acura models down the line.  Autoblog reached out to inquire as to whether a manual transmission is under consideration for the Type S model; an Acura representative said only that the company is not yet ready to get into specifics on the 2021 TLX's features.  Acura will debut the new TLX online at its dedicated microsite on May 28 at 10 a.m. PDT (1 p.m. EDT). 

Acura Integras worked over by 3 popular tuners as SEMA custom builds

The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show is a chance for aftermarket manufacturers and automakers to come together with potential customers and the media to show off their custom rides. Honda and Acura are no strangers to the event, as people have been bringing hotted-up models from both automakers to the show for years. This year, three builders are bringing their interpretations of Acura’s newest car, the 2023 Integra. Acura gave the car to Daijiro Yoshihara, Sara Choi, and Coco Zurita, and each came up with a unique build for the car. YoshiharaÂ’s car features a Spoon air filter and exhaust, BBS REV7 wheels, EVS tuning exterior components, and a host of motorsport-ready interior upgrades. ChoiÂ’s Integra features a GReddy intercooler and oil cooler, Advan wheels, a wide body kit, and Battle Craft interior parts. Zarita installed several powertrain upgrades, including an AÂ’PEXI exhaust, an HPS cold air intake, a GReddy intercooler, and HPS turbo components. The cars made their debut at The Petersen Museum on October 23 and will head to SEMA from November 1-4. From there, Acura will take them to Radwood L.A. on November 19 and the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on April 14-16. The Integra is still relatively new, so the aftermarket doesnÂ’t offer the wealth of upgrades that older Honda Civics and other Japanese cars enjoy. Some companies have already released dedicated tunes and other car mods, so weÂ’re hopeful these SEMA rigs will help jumpstart development for the vehicle.